GM UPDATE: Third shift coming to Lordstown

LORDSTOWN — Hundreds of Lordstown auto workers stood and applauded today at the Lordstown General Motors Assembly Plant as Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, brought more good news to the Valley: A third shift will be coming to the plant later this year.

Reuss said 1,200 jobs would be created to support production of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and that one-third of those jobs would go to laid-off Lordstown GM workers.

According to a GM news release, production will begin in the third quarter and will increase the Lordstown workforce from 3,300 to 4,500. The third shift is expected to generate $47 million in additional payroll, $470,000 in local income taxes and $1.4 million in state income tax, GM said.

“Adding a third shift to build Cruze is an investment with impact far beyond General Motors. It’s an investment in the long-term value of Lordstown and the prosperity of Ohio,” said Reuss. “It provides rewarding manufacturing jobs and efficient class-leading new cars for American car buyers.”

Rumors of the third shift has been circulating for weeks, though officials were tight-lipped going into today's event, which also featured Gov. Ted Strickland and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan.

Reuss said GM is announcing the shift before the start of sales because of the success the Cruze has had in Asia and Europe.